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Hi I'm Elizabeth Ann

I'm a teacher, a storyteller, a writer, and an animal educator and rescuer. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

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I am 30-something and single. I'm a "spoonie" meaning everyday I deal with chronic pain from Fibromyalgia, migraines, and Gastroparesis (plus a host of other ailments.) That limits me in how much time I can spend at work, but the work I do I LOVE! I teach and run the Tales for Tots story time program at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, UT. I write an Exotic Pets column
The other most important thing in my life are my critters!!! My BABIES are sugar gliders, a hedgehog, and a chinchilla, plus a tortoise, a turtle, a leopard gecko, a bearded dragon, frogs, hermit crabs, a gerbil, a feral cat, fish, a giant millipede, and a colony of Madagascar hissing roaches!

Why I am a Mormon

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I was raised in this church, baptized when I was 8, so you might think I never questioned it, but you'd be wrong. It was when I was away at college in Hawaii. I was struggling with insomnia, my grades were suffering, I was going to church 3 hours a week, reading my scriptures, praying, and my best friend attempted suicide and I wasn't around to be with her. I was struggling with depression myself. I felt terrible and I thought to myself that the one thing I COULD let go was church, because prayer seemed to be going nowhere, and scripture study was just taking up time and I could sleep those extra 3 hours. The trick was I could only give up on it if it wasn't true.
At the time I was taking a class to prepare me for a MISSION of all things, and in it they taught how we could challenge people to study and read certain passages of the scriptures and then ask God of the church was true and he would tell you. I decided if it would work for people who were not yet members of our church, it should work for me.. So I did it. Only I got the "wrong" answer. Through a warmth and excited happiness the Lord told me the church WAS TRUE.
So not only couldn't I forget it, it became my focus and things became a little easier. My problems didn't go away, but they became less intense. I know that that was only through the help of the Savior Jesus Christ. I know this is his church. And I love to be a member.

How I live my faith

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I have some chronic migraines so I can't always stay for the whole church meeting, but I try to go as long as I can on Sundays because it makes me feel a little bit energized for the week. :)
During the week my mom and I've done humanitarian work together, sometimes making toys for orphans around the world, which is fun. I'd like to do more. This Christmas we did shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and that was awesome. They went to Mexico.
Other than that I study the scriptures (Bible and the Book of Mormon, mostly) probably not as much as I should, and pray all the time. ALL the time. Sometimes I find myself in constant conversation with my Father in Heaven ALL DAY just to get through some painful days with my physical problems. But it works. I know he's there.

What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Elizabeth Ann

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It is only through grace we are saved, AFTER all we can do. If we work as hard as we can, Christ will make up the difference.Show moreShow less

What is the role of the husband and the wife in the family?

Elizabeth Ann

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Partners, absolutely. But with different roles. It varies from family to family, but basically if there are kids mom should be home with them if circumstances allow it.Show moreShow less

Why is self-reliance important to Mormons? Why do Mormons talk about emergency preparedness?

Elizabeth Ann

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Like the scripture says, "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." We don't have to be afraid of stuff that comes along, whether it's natural disasters or economic times. It also puts us in a better position to help others.Show moreShow less